Story perspectives

French Farmers Blockades Ahead of EU-Mercosur Deal Signing

1/12/2026

Summary

Story summary

French farmers protested EU-Mercosur deal on January 12, 2026, blocking motorways and ports, including the A1, and barricading La Pallice and Bayonne.
The protesters, calling themselves ‘douanes agricoles,’ inspected imported goods for EU compliance.
The protests began over Lumpy Skin Disease culling rules and have spread to Italy, Poland, and Ireland.
The European Commission plans to sign EU-Mercosur deal in Paraguay on January 17, 2026, despite accusations of procedural manipulation.

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Story summary

French farmers protested EU-Mercosur deal on January 12, 2026, blocking motorways and ports, including the A1, and barricading La Pallice and Bayonne.
The protesters, calling themselves ‘douanes agricoles,’ inspected imported goods for EU compliance.
The protests began over Lumpy Skin Disease culling rules and have spread to Italy, Poland, and Ireland.
The European Commission plans to sign EU-Mercosur deal in Paraguay on January 17, 2026, despite accusations of procedural manipulation.